Burner valve device



March 23, 1948. v J, AY D 2,438,447

BURNER VALVE DEVI CE Filed April '7, 19 41 2 Sheets-Sheet l IN. VEN we, JAMEJ MA YNARD \Br HARP/J) mac/1 FOSTER a HARR/5 FOR THE FIRM A TTOQLVEKF March 23, 1948. J. MAYNARD 2,438,447

BURNER VALVE DEV I C E LI Ii 'l.

1 lxvvz/vrob o JAMEJ MA wvA/w HARR/J, K/ECH/ F OJTER a HARR S Patented Mar. 23, 1948 BURNER VALVE nnvrcs James Maynard, Hawthorne, CaliL, assignor to Elgln Rowland Parker, Seal Beach, 08112.

Application April 7, 1941, Serial No. 387,241

13 Claims. (Cl. 236-48) My invention relates to the valve art and more particularly to a valve mechanism of the thermostatic type. The invention finds particular utility in the gas water heater art, and, for the purpose oi illustration, its use in such art is described hereinafter, it being understood that the invention is susceptible to other and different uses and is not limited to the specific embodimerits or use shown and described herein.

Gas water heaters of the storage type normally are provided with a hot water reservoir in which a supply of water is maintained at a predetermined desired temperature by a main gas burner positioned in proximity to the water reservoir, the flow of gas to the main burner being controlled by a suitable thermostatic control mechanism operating a main burner valve and there being a suitable pilot burner adapted to ignite the gas to the main burner when gas is admitted to the main burner by the main burner valve. 7

A primary object of my invention is to provide an improved thermostatically opera-ted valve mechanism particularly adapted to be used in connection with such a gas water heater for controlling the passage 'of gas to the main burner.

A further object of my invention is to provide such a valve mechanism in which the predetermined temperature of the water in the reservoir at which the thermostatically operated valve is actuated to pass gas to the main burner maybe quickly and readily varied without disassembling the valve mechanism.

A further object of my invention is to provide a valve device including a housing having a chamber therein in which is disposed a valve seat and a snap valve element adapted to snap between open and closed positions on the seat to control the passage of gas therethrough. It is also an object of the invention to provide such a device in which the valve seat is axially movable within the housing chamber without disassembling the valve mechanism to vary the temperature of the water at which the valve element is automatically moved to open position.-

Another object of my invention is to provide a valve mechanism of the class described which 7 includes a housing with a. chamber therein in device in which a movement multiplying mechanism isinterposed between the thermostatic control means and the snap valve element so that very slight movement of the thermostatic control means in response to temperature variations will produce a substantial amount of movement in the motion multiplying mechanism to operate the snap valve element. It is a purpose also to provide in such a construction safety or relief means for the movement multiplying mechanism limit ing to a predetermined value the movement and force communicated by the multiplying mechanism from the thermostatic control means to the snap valve element.

Gas water heaters of the storage type are normally provided with a. main valve adapted to admit gas to the main burner 01 the heater. sometimes referred to in the art as an A valve, a pilot valve adapted to admit gas to the pilot burner of the heater, sometimes described in the art as a "3 valve, and a thermostatically controlled valve i'or controlling the flow oi gas to the main burner independently of the A valve and in response to and as a function of temperature changes in the water in the heater, there being separate and independent controls for each 01' such valves. I

It is an object of my invention to provide a valve mechanism of the class described in which the main valve and the pilot valve may be controlled, and the operation or the thermostatic control valve varied by a single manual control element. More specifically, one of the purposes oi. the invention is to provide such a valve mechanism in which a single manual control element is employed to actuate the pilot valve from closed to open position while the main valve is closed, to actuate the main valve to open position when and only when the pilot "valve is open, to adjust the thermostatically controlled valve to vary the temperature at which it is automatically actuated to open position, and to vary the degree of opening of the main valve as a function of such temperature.

A further object of my invention is to provide a valve mechanism in which any leakage of gas through the pilot valve or main valve cannot escape into the atmosphere surrounding the valve mechanism but is confined to the flow lines leading to the burners of the heater. Another object of my invention is to provide a valve mechanism for use in hot water heaters having a connection between the valve housing and the gas discharge line therefrom. permitting the ready variation of the degree of communication between the housing and such line without disassembling the line from the housing or impairing the sealed relationship therebetween. Other objects include .the line 2-2 of Fi 1;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 2, showing the snap valve in open position; 1 Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken as indicated by the line 4-4 of Fig. 2, showing the valve mechanism in closed position;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to Fig. 4, showing the valve mechanism in position passing gas to the pilot burner and preventing the passage of gas to the main burner;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to Figs. 4 and 5, showing the valve mechanism in position passing gasto the pilot vburner and also passing gas to the main burner to maintain the water in the reservoir at the temperature corresponding to the "cold position of the valve;

Fig. '7 is an end elevational view of the motion multiplying means of my invention;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken as indicated by the line 3-3 of Fig. I; and

Fig. 9 is a sectional view of another embodi ment of my invention.

Referring to the drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only, the numeral ii indicates a valve housing including a shell l2 and a back plate l3. The back plate I3 is seated upon an annular gasket i4 against a shoulder l5 in the shell "and secured in place by a lock nut l6 threaded to the shell l2 and bearing against the outer surface of the back plate l3. Instead of lock nut l6, bolts i2a illustrated in Fig. 1 may be employed to secure the back plate i3 to the shell l2, a plurality of openings (not shown) for the reception of the bolts being provided in the back plate l3 so that the shell l2 may be shifted relative thereto into properaposition when the back plate i3 is connected to the water reservoir.

Such an angular adjustment of the shell l2 and back plate i3 may also be made if the lock nut 16 is employed; The shell i2 is provided with an inlet opening I! provided with interior threads ill for the reception of the threaded end of a gas inlet pipe ill. The shell I2 is provided also with an outlet opening 23 for discharging gas to a main burner, and an outlet opening 2|, indicated by dotted lines in Figs. 4 to 6, inclusive, for discharging gas to a pilot burner.

Within the shell [2 and formed integrally therewith is a wall means or wall member 22,

having therein a port 23 communicating through a first chamber or passage 24 in the shell I2 with .the inlet opening Il. As is best illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, the front wall 25 of the shell I2 is flared outwardly or forwardly around the pas.- sage 24 and inlet opening l1, and the inner surface of the wall member 22 is in the plane of the inner surface of the front wall 25 radially opposite. A second chamber 241; is defined in the shell l2 between the back plate i3 and the wall member 22. Engaging the inner surface of the wall member 22 and that inner surface of the front wall 25 in the same plane is a valve plate or valve member 23. The valve member 26 has formed therein anopening 21 adapted for movement into and out of registry with the port 23 during rotation of the valve member 26. Formed centrally upon the valve member 23 and project-- ing forwardly therefrom is a cylindrical sleeve 28 projecting through a cylindrical opening 230 in the front wall 23 of the shell l2 and having formed therein a cylindrical bore 29 with an enlarged portion 30 at its inner end. Rotatably mounted within the cylindrical bore 29 is a projecting portion 3i of an adjusting plug 32, having an enlarged head 33 with a portion thereof seated in the enlarged portion 30 of the cylindrical bore 29, and the remainder thereof projecting inwardly therefrom and having thereon a coarse thread 34.

Threadedly secured to the enlarged head 33 of the adjusting plug 32 is a valve support 35. The valve support 35 has therein a groove 33 in which there is secured in fluid-tight relationship therewith the inner edge of an annular diaphragm 31. The outer edge of the diaphragm 31 is retained in fluid-tight relationship with an inwardly extending annular flange 38 in the shell i2 by a resilient clamping ring 39 engaging the inner wall of the shell l2 and the inner surface of the back plate l3. As illustrated in the drawings, the clamping ring 39 is U-shaped in crosssection, the apex of the U being directed inwardly, and is provided with a plurality-of open- 7 ings 40 for the passage oi gas therethrough.

The diaphragm 31 is likewise provided with a plurality of openings 4| spaced around the enlarged head 33 of the adjusting plug 32 and adjacent thereto. The diaphragm 31 is formed of any suitable resilient material, and I have found that the synthetic rubber product known as neoprene is well adapted for this use. The clamping ring 39 may be made of any suitable resilient material, such as neoprene, or thin metal. The diaphragm 31 is provided with an annular valve seat 42 which may, as illustrated in the drawings, be formed as a rearwardly extending annular convex portion, preferably of a thickness .permitting its deformation'into sealing contact with a movable valve member or valve disc, as illustrated in Fig. 2.

Engaging the inner end of the-valvesupport 35 of the adjusting plug 32 is a snap valve or movable valve element in the form of a disc 43. The disc is made of metal in concavo-convex form and is adapted, upon the application of 1 provided with a cavity 44 shaped to conform to the valve disc 43 when it is concaved rearwardly and resists further deformation of the valve disc 43 rendering it more concave rearwardly. Means for resiliently urging the valve disc 43 into contact.

with the valve support 36 are provided in the form of a spring 45 hellcally wound and with its outer end bearing against a carrier plate 43 of a motion multiplying mechanism or means 41.

As is best illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8, the carrier plate 43 has formed therein a central opening 43 and has a pair of inwardly extending vertical lugs 48 on the inner surface thereof, one

on each side of the opening 48. Pins 58 and 8| connect the upper and lower ends of the lugs 48 and support thereon a plurality of interengagin levers adapted to transmit motion and. during such transmission, to multiply and enlarge such motion, so assembled as to permit the use of short rigid levers.

As illustrated in the drawings, a'iirst lever .52, U-shaped in cross-section, is pivoted to the upper pin 58 and extends across the opening 48 in the carrier plate 48. Its lower end engages a second lever 83 pivoted upon the lower pin The contact between the first lever 52 and the second lever 881s adjacent the pivoted end of the lever 88, so that movement of the lever 52 causes a greater movement of the free end of the lever 53. The free end of the lever 58 engages a third lever 54 adjacent its point of pivoting upon the upper pin 58. The third lever 54 in turn engages a fourth lever 55, U-shaped in cross-section. adjacent its point of pivoting upon the lower pin 5|. The free end of the fourth lever 55 contacts the snap disc 43 centrally thereof for actuating it between its closed position, illustrated in Fig. 2, and its open position, illustrated in Fig. 3,'and is so formed that the locus on the disc 43 contacted by the fourth lever 55 remains the same at all positions of the lever. It will be understood that while I have illustrated the interengaging levers as four in number, a greater or lesser number may be employed to provide the desired effect.

Motion is imparted to the motion multiplying means 41 by a control element having a portion thereof movable in response to temperature variations of the water to be heated. This control element may be of any of a variety of constructions, moving towards the motion multiplying means 41 as the temperature of the water being heated decreases and away from such means as such temperature increases or vice versa. .The control element as illustrated in the drawings is indicated generally by the number 58 and is immersed in the water in the storage tank by connection to a plug 51 projecting rearwardly from the back plate l3 and threaded into a boss 58 in the wall 58 of the water reservoir. The plug 51 is provided with a central passage including a cylin-- drical portion 60, an intermediate threaded portion 8|, andan enlarged cylindrical portion 82. Threadedly secured in the intermediate portion 8| is a tube 83, the end of which is sealed by a screw cap 84. Solder may be placed within the enlarged cylindrical portion .82 around the tube 83, as indicated by the numeral 85, to insure the sealing of the tube to the plug 51 if desired.

Disposed within the tube 83 is a rod 88 having one end bearing against the inner side of the screw cap 84 and the other end adapted for pro- Jecting through the opening 48 in the carrier plate 48 into contact with the first lever 52. The

. tube 83 is preferably made of material having a high coefficient of linear expansion. such as copper, and the rod 88 is preferably made of material having a low co-eflicient of llnearexpansion, such as Invar or other suitable nickel steel.

As the temperature or the water in the reservoir diminishes, it will be apparent that the tube 88 will diminish in length more than the rod 88, and thus move the inner end of the rod 88 in a direction urging the first lever 52 of the motion multiplying means 41 inwardly of the housing I l.

Non-rotatably secured by a key 81a to the sleeve 28 of the valve member 28 forwardly of the housing H is an operating lever 81. The

6 projecting portion 8| ofthe adjusting plug 32 extends beyond the outer end of the sleeve 28 providing a squared portion 68, and a threaded portion 89 adjacent the end thereof. A slot 88a is formed in the end of the projecting portion 3| to receive a screw driver to effect its rotation relative to the valve member 28. Positioned upon the squared portion 88 is a spring washer 18 having av square opening therein which is urged into resilient engagement with the operating lever 81 by. a lock nut 1|. A look screw 12 is threaded into the operating lever 81 against the spring washer 10. thus securing the operating lever against rotation relative to the adjustment plug 32.

The valve member 28 is resiliently urged into sealing engagement with the wall member 22 by a helical compression spring 13, one end of which engages the rearward surface of the valve member and the other end of Which'engages the forward surface of the annular flange 38 in the shell l2. The forward surface of the valve member 25 is provided with an arcuate groove 14 best illustrated in Figs. 4 to 6 inclusive. The groove 14 is so positioned in the valve member 28 relative to the opening 21 therein as to connect the port 23 in the wall member 22 with the opening 2| in the shell |2 at all positions of the valve a member 28 at which the opening 21 therein registers with the port 23 in the wall member 22 and during some of the rotation of the valve member 28 before the opening 21 therein commences to register with the port 23.

The outlet opening 28 in the shell I2 is connected to a discharge pipe '15 delivering gas from the housing to the main burner of the heater by the connection indicated generally by the numeral 18. The connection 18 includes a deformable body 11 having an opening 18 therethrough, the lower end 18 of which is located centrally of the body 11 and the upper end 88 of which is displaced relative to the axis of the body 11. The body 11 is formed of a resilient matei rial, such as neoprene or the like, and is provided at its outer periphery with an upper beveled portion 8| and a lower beveled portion 82. The body 11 is confined within a compressing member 83 which extends between the upper and lower beveled portions 8| and 82 and compresses the body 11 to less than its normal external diameter. An outwardly declining annular valve seat 84 is formed on the shell |2 around and eccentric with the main burner outlet 28 therein, and the upper beveled portion 8| of the body 11 is adapted to engage the annular seat 84 when the upper end of the body contacts the shell |2 around the outlet opening 20. The end of the discharge pipe 15 communicating with the mainburner is flared as indicated by the numeral 85, and this flared portion is adapted to engage the lower beveled portion 82 of the body 11 and the lower end of the compression member '88. Surrounding the flared portion 85 is a collar 88 supported upon a yoke 81 adjustably secured to the shell l2 by a bolt 88. When the bolt 88 is threaded into the shell l2, the yoke 81 is moved upwardly, clamping the collar 88 and flared portion of the discharge pipe 15 and the compressing means 83 firmly against the shell l2 and compressing the body 11 vertically into sealing engagement with the flared portion85 and the shell l2. The outer surface oi. the compression member 83 is knurled to facilitate the rotation of the compression member and the body 11 relative to the shell l2 and the flared portion 88 of the discharge pipe 15 of passage of gas therethrough to the main burner.

The outlet opening 2| in the shell I2 is connected to a discharge pipe-89 conveying gas to the pilot burner by a connection indicated generally by the numeral 96 identical in construction with the connection 16 previously described and not illustrated in detail in the drawings.

Inthe construction previously described, the wall member 22 and the port 23 therein cooperate with the valve member 26 and the opening 21 therein as a main valve means or "A" valve controlling the passage of gas from the inlet pipe l9 to the main burner; the wall member 22 with the port 23 therein and the valve member 26 with the arcuate groove 14 therein cooperate as an auxiliary valve means or 13" valve controlling the passage of gas from the inlet pipe l9 to the pilot burner; and the diaphragm 31 with its openings 4| and its valve seat 42 thereon cooperates with the valve disc 43 as an automatic valve means, and with the control element 56 and the motion multiplying means 41 acts as an automatic thermostatic valve means.

An indicia plate 9| is secured to the front wall 25 of the shell l2 and is provided with five indentations 92 to 96 adapted for the reception of a detent 91 illustrated in Fig. 9 and carried by the operating lever 61. The indentations 92 to 96 correspond respectively to the position of the valve mechanism in which no gas is permitted to flow to either the pilot or main burners, to its position in which gas is permitted to flow only to the pilot burner, to its position in which'gas is permitted to flow to the pilot burner and permitted to flow to the main burner to maintain. the water in the reservoir at the lowest predetermined temperature, to its position in which gas is permitted to flow to the pilot burner and to the main burner to maintain the water in the reservoir at the intermediate predetermined temperature, and to its position in which gas is permitted to flow to the pilot burner and to the main burner to maintain the water in the reservoir at the maximum predetermined temperature.

With the lock screw 12 removed and the construction otherwise assembled, as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, the automatic valve means of my valve mechanism is adjusted by inserting a screwdriver in the slot 69a in the end 01' the adjusting plug 32 and rotating the plug, thus moving the valve support 35 toward or away from the motion multiplying means 41. The valve support 35 carries with it the inner portion of the diaphragm 31 and the valve disc 43. The valve disc is retained in contact with thevalve seat 42 by the compression spring 45, even though the valve support 35 and lever 55 are moved out of contact with the valve disc 43. It will be apparent that if the valve support 35 is thus moved toward the motion multiplying means 41, the temperature of the water in the reservoir and the temperature of the control element 56 at which the valve disc 43 will be snapped to open position, permitting gas to flow to the main burner, will be increased. It will be seen also that if the valve support 36 is moved away from the motion multiplying means 41, the temperature of thewater in the reservoir and the temperature of the control element at which the valve disc 43'will be snapped to open position will be decreased. The valve support 35 is in this manner adJusted until it is so posi- 'tioned that the valve disc '43 win be actuated to open position by the control element 56 and motion multiplying means 41 at that temperature oi the control element 56 which is the lowest temperature at which it is desired to maintain the water'in the reservoir. The operating lever 61 is then rotated until the detent 91 .is received in the indentation 94 and the adjusting plug 32 is then locked against rotation relative to the operating' lever 61 by tightening the lock screw 12 against the spring washer 16.

With the parts so adjusted when the operating lever 61 is moved so that its detent 91 engages the indentation 92, the valve member 26 is 1'0- tated to the position illustrated in Fig. 4 in which the annular groove 14 therein is out. of registry with the outlet opening 2| and gas isthus prevented irom flowing to the pilot burner, and the opening 21 therein is out of registry with the port 23 in the wall member 22, thus preventing the passage of gas to the main burner. If the operating lever be now rotated so that its detent 91 is received in the-indentation 93, the valve member.

When the operating lever 61 is rotated so that its detent 91 is received in the indentation 94, the

valve member 26 is rotated to the position illustrated in Fig. 6, in which the arcuate groove 14 connects the port 23 of the wall member 22 with the outlet opening 2| in the shell |2,-thus passing gas to the pilot burner. In such position of the fva-lve member 26, the opening 21 therein registers with the port 23 of the wall member 22, and gas is permitted to pass through the opening 21. The rotation of the operating lever 61 to this position rotates the adjusting plug 32 so that the valve support 35 is advanced toward the control element 56 to thatposition in which the control element 56 through the motion multiplying means 41 actuates the snap valve disc 43 to open position at a relatively low temperature of the water in the reservoir. Only when the temperature of the water in the reservoir falls below this relatively low value is the valve disc 43 opened, permitting gas to pass to the main burner. When the temperature of the water in the reservoir increases above such relatively low temperature, the tube 63 expands and the pressure exerted by the rod upon the motion multiplying means 41 is relieved, permitting the valve disc 43 to snap to its closed or normal position.

If now the operating lever 61 is rotated until its detent 91 is received in the indentation 95,-the

valve member 26 is rotated and the opening 21 automatically maintained at a higher temperature than in that position of the mechanism described in "the last paragraph. During this posi- 2B continues to connect tion multiplying means movement 01 the carrier I4 in the valve member the port 22 or the wall outlet opening 2I in the tion the arcuate groove member 22 with the shell I2 and to thus supply gas to the pilot burner.

when the operating lever 01 is moved to its last position, in which its detent' I1 is received in the indentation 90, the valve member 20 isrotated with the opening 21 remaining in registry with the port 23 in the wall member 22. Such rotation oi the operating lever rotates the adjusting plug 92 moving the valve support I! further toward the control element Ill and thus iurther increasin the temperature at which the valve disc 42 is snapped to open position, as hereinbeiore described. In this position the water in the reservoir is automaticallymaintained at the highest predetermined temperature, and when the automatic valve means is in open position, gas is supplied to the main burner at the maximum rate. In this position also, the arcuate groove 14 continues to connect the port 22 with the outlet opening 2I in the shell I2 and to supply gas to the pilot burner.

The carrier plate 45, cooperating with the spring 45, acts as a relieimeans or limiting means for the motion multiplying means 41 by limiting the force and movement transmitted by the motion multiplying mechanism to the valve disc 43. It the tube 92 contracts to such an extent that the inner end of the rod 80 moves into the opening in the carrier plate 49 to a suiilcient distance to exert an unduly large force upon the mo- 41 and the valve disc 43, the resistance of the spring 40 is overcome, and the carrier plate 49 is moved inwardly. This plate 46 diminishes or eliminates the multiplication of movement transmitted by the motion multiplying means 41 and may operate to take up all or the movement of the rod 69' during a portion of its travel, so that 10 use. In a similarmanner the connection 90 between the housing II and the discharge pipe 00 leading gas to the pilot burner may be adjusted independently of the adjustment or the connection It. I

In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 9 the numeral IOI indicates the housing or the valve mechanism which includes a shell I02 and a back late I02. The shell is provided with an interior wall means or wall member I04 similar to the wall member 22 previously described. The wall member I04 has therein a port I09 communicating through a passage I00 with an inlet opening I01 in which an inlet pipe I09;is threaded. In sealing engagement with the inner surface of the wall member I04 and the inner surface of the front wall I09 of the shell radially opposite is a valve member IIO having an opening II I therein adapted to move into and out oi registry with the none or the movement is transmitted to the levers 52 to 59, inclusive. The spring is formed to provide a resistance to inward motion of the carrier plate 46 which may be overcome by a force less than that force which will have a damaging effect upon the levers 52 to or the valve disc 43.

The cavity 44 on the valve support 95 is shaped to conform to the convex side of the valve disc 43 when the disc is concave rearwardly, as illustrated in Fig. 3, and to thus support the disc against excessive deformation during the continued application oi! force thereto by the motion multiplying mechanism.

It will be seen that, ii there is any leakage oi gas between the valve member 26 and the wall member 22 or through or around the diaphragm 31, such gas is prevented from escaping to the atmosphere around the valve mechanism by virtue oi the fluid-tight housing II and is directed to the main burner or pilot burner which is customarily vented to the outside of the building. If desired, a packing 80 may be positioned in the enlarged portion 30 of the cylindrical bore 29 in the valve member 29 to insure that no gas can leak between the adjusting plug 32 and the valve member 26.

When the valve mechanism is installed and ready for use, the compression member 83 and the body I1 of the connection 16 may be rotated relative to the housing I I and the discharge pipe 15 to the main burner to vary the degree of registration oi. the upper end 80 or the passage I8 with the outlet opening 20 in the shell I2 to adjust the rate of passage of gas therethrough in accordance with the gas pressure at the place of port I05 when the valve member I I0 is rotated relative to the wall member I04. 'the valve member IIO includes a central cylindrical projection I I2 extending through a central opening H3 in the front wall I09 0! the shell, and an operating lever H4 is secured by a set screw Ill to the forward end of this projecting portion. I

The opening 2 inludes an enlarged portion IIIi having therein a packing gland .I I1 in sealing relationship with the front wall I09 and the valve member IIO. Also positioned in this enlarged portion H6 is a compression spring IIB urging the operating lever H4 outward and thus resiliently urging the valve member IIO into sealing engagement with the wall member I04 and the front wall I09 01 the shell I02.

Formed centrally upon the inner side of the valve member i I0 is a cylindrical projection H9 having therein a cavity I20 shaped to conform to a valve disc I2I when the valve disc is concavedinwardly. The periphery of the valve disc I2I, when it is concaved outwardly, as illustrated in Fig. 9, is seated upon an annular valve seat I22 of resilient material. such as neoprene or the like. The valve seat may be formed substantially U- shaped in cross-section, the legs oi the U extending into an annular channel I28 formed in the valve member IIO. Clamped to the peripheral wall of the valve member IIO by a set screw I24 is a spider I25 having a central sleeve I26. The sleeve I26 is provided with a central projection I21 engaging the center of the valve disc I2 I, and with interior threads-i29 in its inner end. An adjusting plug I29 has exterior left hand threads I29a engaging the threads I28 and its outer end bears against the center of the valve disc I2I and its inner end engaging a motion multiplying means I30. A compression spring-I25a has one end bearing against the spider I25 and its other end engaging the valve disc I2I opposite the cylindrical projection H9, holding the valve disc I2I against such projection when the central rojection I2'I of the sleeve I29 is out oicontact with the valve disc.

Connected in fluid-tight relationship with the adjusting plug I29 adjacent its inner end is a resilient diaphragm III, the peripheral edge. of which is clamped between the shell I02 and the back plate I03 the shell I02. The diaphragm I3I is imperforate and is provided with circumferential coras indicated at I33, to more readily I29. A compression spring I34 is provided with one end bearing against the diaphragm I3I adjacent the shell I02 and the other end bearing by a lock nut I32 threaded into aesauv against :a carrier plate III of the motion multiplying means I00. The motion multiplying means 30 includes levers I30 to I80. Inclusive. mounted and operating like the levers II to II, inclusive. previously described. Extending through a central opening I40 in the carrier plate III-is a rod III or a control element I02. A tube I43 is secured to mend I as in the first embodiment. The tube In is threaded into a boss I and sealed therein with solder I". The boss I is formed upon the back plate I value: and. operating means exterior of said housing adapted for simultaneously moving said valve member and said valve support whereby the registration of-said opening in said valve mem'- and threaded into a wall I ll of the water storconnection at such opening between the shell and the gas discharge pipe, which opening and connection, being exactly like the opening 2| and connection 90 hereinbefore referred to, are not illustrated in the drawings.

' In this embodiment of my invention the registration of the port I05 and the opening- I in the valve member 0 is controlled by the operation lever I, and the rotation of the operating lever III moves the adjusting plug I29 axially to vary the .eifectivc length of the connection between the motion multiplying means I30 and to thus vary the predetermined temperature at which the valve disc III is snapped toopen position. The control element I and the motion multiplying means I30 in this embodiment of my invention function exactly like the control element and motion multiplying means described in relation to the first embodiment of my invention.

In both embodiments of my invention the areas of registration of the ports passing gas to the main burner are made substantial so that there is practically no decrease in pressure in the valve mechanism on the gas passing therethrough to the main burner.

A tapered valve body or member with radia ports communicating with axial passages therein may be employed instead of the cylindrical valve members 28 and H0 if desired.

While those embodiments of my invention hereinbefore illustrated and described are fully capable of performing the objects and providing the advantages primarily stated. it is to be understood that there are various other embodiments likewise capable of performing such objects and providing such advantages, and that my invention is therefore not restricted to the specific embodiments hereinbefore described.

I claim as my invention:

1. Ina thermostatically controlled valve mechanism, the combination of a housing having in-,

let and outlet openings therein; wall means in said housing between said openings, said wall means having a port therein; a valve member having an opening therethrough, said. valve member engaging said wall means and being movable relative thereto iorvarying the registration of said opening therein with said port; a valve support in said housing: a valve seat in said housing; a valve disc engaging said support and adapted upon the application of a predetermined pressure for snapping "fromclosed position in sealing engagement with said valve seat and closing communication between said openings in said housing to open position t ee o do not register; a valve support in said housing; a

' which said valve disc is snappedto open position said valve seat and permitting communication between said openings in said housing; a control member movable in response to temperature variations; motion multiplying means trans mitting the movement of said control member to said valve disc so long as the resistance to movement of said disc is less than a predetermined her with said port in said wall means is controlled and the temperature of said control mern-' her at which said valve disc is snapped to open position is varied.

2. In a thermostatically operated valve mechai nism for controlling the passage of gas between an inlet pipe and a main burner and a pilot burner therethrough adapted for registration with said. 0 port during movement of said valve member for 3 controlling the passage of gas from said inlet pipe to said main outlet opening and having .a passage adapted to register with said port in said wall means and to pass gas .to said auxiliary outlet opening when said opening in said. valve member and said port are in registry and during some of the movement of said valve member during which said opening in said valve member and said port resilient diaphragm extending across said housing and connected to said valve support; a resilient valve seat on said diaphragm: a valve disc engaging said support and adapted upon the application of a predetermined pressurefor snapping from closed position in sealing enagement-with said valve seat wherein it closes communication between said inlet opening and said main outlet opening to open position free of said valve seat permitting communication between said inlet opening and said main outlet opening; a control member movable in response to temperature variations; motion multiplying means comprising v r a plurality of interengaging levers transmitting the movement of said control member to said valve disc so long as the resistance to movement of said disc is less than a predetermined value and adapted for multiplying the movement of said control member during such transmission; relief means associated with said motion multiplying means limiting the motion transmitted by said motion multiplying means: and operating means exterior of ,said housing adapted for moving said valve member to position in which said passage therein permits communication between said inlet opening and said auxiliary outlet opening and for moving said valve member and said valve support whereby the temperature of said' control means at is varied. d

3. In a thermostatically controlled valve mechanism, the combination of r a housing having inlet and outlet openings therein; wall means in said housing between said openings; a first valve means associated with said wall means and controlling v the passage of fluid between said openings by.

movement between closed and open positions; a

13 valve support in' said housing; a valve seat in said housing; a second valve means in the form of a snap valve disc engaging said support and adapted upon'the application of a predetermined pressure for snapping by its own resilience from closed position in sealing engagement with said valve seat and closing communication between said openings in said housing to open position tree of said valve seat andpermitting communication between said openings in said housing; a control member movable in response to temperature variations; motion multiplying means transmitting the movement of said control member to said valve disc so long as the resistance to movement of said disc is less than a predetermined value; and operating means exterior of said housing adapted for simultaneously moving said first valve means and said valve support whereby the movement of said first valve means is controlled and the temperature of said control member at which said valve disc is snapped to open position is varied. I

4. In a thermostatically controlled valve mechanism, the combination of a housing having inlet and outlet openings therein; wall means in said housing between said openings; a first valve means associated with said wall means and controlling the passage of fluid between said openings by movement between closed and open positions: a valve support in said housing; a valve seat in said housing; a second valve means in the form of a snap valve disc having a yielding concavoconvex construction, engaging said support and adapted upon the application of a predetermined pressure for snapping by its own resilience from closed position in sealing engagement with said valve seat and closing communication between said openings in said housing to open position free of said valve seat and permitting communication between said openings in said housing; a control member movable in response to temperature variations; motion multiplying means transmitting the movement of said control member to said valve disc so long as the resistance to movment of said disc is less than a predetermined value: and operating means exterior of said housing adapted for moving said first valve means and said valve support whereby the movement of said first valve means is controlled and the temperature of said control member at which said valve disc is snapped. to open position is varied.

5. In a thermostatically controlled valve mechanism, the combination of a housing having inlet and outlet openings therein; wall means in said housing between said openings;a first valve means associated with said wall means and controlling the passage of fiuid between said openings by movement between closed and open positions; a valve support in said housing; a valve seat in said housingza second valve means in the form of a deformable concave-convex snap valve disc engaging said support and adapted upon the application of a predetermined pressure for snapping by its own deformation from closed position in sealing engagement with said valve seat and closing communication between said openings in said housing to open position free of. said valve seat and permitting communication between said openings in said housing; a control member mov' able in response to temperature variations; motion multiplyingmeans transmitting the movement of said control member to said valve disc; and operating means exterior of said housing adapted for moving said first valve means and said valve support whereby the movement of said first valve means is controlled and the temperature of said 14 control member at which said valve disc is snappe to open position is varied. s I

6. In a thermostatically controlled valve mechanism, the combination of: a housing having inlet and outlet openings therein; wall means in said housing between said openings; a first valve means associated with said wall means and controlling the'passage oi fluid between said openings by movement between closed and open positions; a valve support in said housing; a valve seat in said housing; a second valve means in the form of a snap valve disc having a deformable snapping construction and engaging said support and adapted upon the application of a predetermined pressure for snapping by reason of its own construction from closed position in sealing enragement with said valve seat and closing communication between said openings in said housing to open position free oi said valve seat and permitting communication between said openings in said housing; a control member movable in response to temperature variations; motion multiplying means transmitting the movement 0'! said control member to said valve disc so long as the resistance to movement of said disc is less than a predetermined value; and operating means exterior of said housing adapted for moving said first valve means whereby the movement of said first valve means is controlled and for thereafter moving said valve support whereby the temperature of said control member at which said valve disc is snapped to open position is varied.

7. In a thermostatically controlled valve mechanism, the combination of a housing having inlet and outlet openings therein; wall means in said housing between said openings: a first valve means associated with said wall means and controlling the passage of fluid between said openings by movement between closed and open positions; a valve support in said housing; a valve seat in said housing; a second valve means in the form of a deformable inherently resilient snap valve disc engaging said support and adapted upon the application of a predetermined pressure for snapping by its own resilience from closed position in sealing engagement with said valve seat and closing communication between said openings in said housing to open position free of said valve seat and permitting communication between said openings in said housing; a control member movable in response to temperature variations; mo-

tion multiplying means transmitting the movement of said control member to said valve disc; and operating means exterior of said housing adapted for moving said first valve means whereby the movement of said first valve means is controlled and for thereafter moving said valve support whereby the temperature of said control member at which said valve disc is sna ped to open position is varied.

8. In a thermostatically controlled valve mechanism, the combination of: a housing having inlet and outlet openings therein; wall means in said housing between said openings; a first valve means associated with said wall means and controlling the passage of fluid between said openings by movement between closed and open positions; a valve support in said housing; a resilient valve seat in said housing; a second valve means in the form of a snap valve disc engaging said support and adapted upon the application of a predetermined pressure for snapping from closed position in sealing engagement with said valve seat and closing communication between ber to said valve disc so long as the resistance to I movement of said disc is less than a predetermined value; and operating means exterior oi said housing adapted for moving said first valve means and said valve support whereby the movement of said first valve means is controlled and the temperature of said control member at which said valve disc is snapped to open position is varied.

9. In a thermostatically controlled valve mechanism, the combination oi: a housing having inlet and outlet openings therein; wall means in said housing between said openings; a first valve means associated with said wall means and controlling the passage of fluid between said openings by movement between closed and open positions;

a valve support in said housing; a valve seat in said housing: a second valve means in the form 01 a snap valve disc engaging said support and adapted upon the application of a predetermined pressure for snapping from closed position in sealingengagement with said valve seat and clos- 16 her to said valve disc to movement oi said disc is less than a predetermined value: and operating means exterior of said housing adapted ior moving said valve meming communication between said openings in said housing to open position free oi said valve seat and permitting communication between said openings in said housing; a control member movable in response to temperature variations; mo-

tion multiplying means transmitting the movement oi said control member to said valve disc so long as the resistance to movement of said disc is less than a predetermined value: relief means associated with said motion multiplying means limiting the motion transmitted by said motion multiplying-means to said valve disc; and operating means exterior of said housing adapted for moving said first valve means and said valve support whereby the movement of said first valve means is controlled and the temperature of said control member at which said valve disc is snapped to open position is varied.

10. In a thermostatically controlled valve mechanism, the combination of: a housing having inlet and main and auxiliary outlet openings therein: wall means in said housing between said inlet and main outlet openings, said wall means having port means therein; a valve member having passages therein, said valve member engaging said wall means and being movable relative thereto for varying the registration of said port means and said passages, said passages being so related that registration with said port means opens communication between said inlet and said auxiliary outlet opening before and while said inlet and said main outlet openings are in communication through said port means; a valvesupport in said housing; a valve seat in said housing; a valve disc engaging said support and adapted upon the application ot a predetermined pressure for snapping from closed position in sealing engagement with said valve seat and closing communication between said inlet and main outlet openings in said housing to open position iree of said valve seat and permitting communication between said inlet and main outlet openings in said housing; a control member movable in response to temperature variations: motion multiplying means transmitting the movement oi said control mem- Number Name Date 571,833 Hunter Nov. 24, 1896 895,306 Russell Aug. 4, 1908 963,842 Wi1liams,.. July 12, 1910 1,281,566 Hedges Oct. 15, 1918 1,538,787 li'illmore May 19, 1925 1,542,712 Merrick June 16, 1925 1,617,886 Wild Feb. 15, 1927 1,828,023 Brill Oct. 20, 1931 1,919,265 Vaugn July 25; 1933' 1,937,325 Pick Nov. 28, 1933 2,042,186 Peterson -May 26, 1936 2,059,274 Piser Nov. 3, 1936 2,068,705 Pratt Jan. 26, 1937 2,070,535 Hansen Feb. '9, 1937 2,083,985 I Byers June 15, 1937 2,123,829 Grayson July 12, 1938 2,153,886 Grayson Apr. 11, 1939 2,201,399 Jackson May 21, 1940 2,224,187 Jackson Dec. 10, 1940 2,236,908 Jackson 1 Apr. 1, 1941 2,242,718 Dynes May 20, 1941 2,300,961

ber and said valve support whereby the registration of said opening in said valve member with said port in said vwall means is controlled and the temperature of said control member at which said valve disc is snapped to open position is varied.

11. In a thermostatically controlled valve mechanism, the combination oi: a housing having inlet and outlet openings thereon: wall means in said housing between said openings: valve means associated with said wall means. and controlling the passage oiv fluid between said openings by movement between closed and open position: a valve support in said housing; a resilient valve seat in said housing; a second valve means engaging said support and yieidably engaged by said resilient valve seat when in closed position and adapted upon the application oi predetermined pressures for sudden movements to and irom closed position in engagement with said valve seat, whereby to open and close communication between said inlet and outlet openingsi a control member movable in response to temperature variations, having aconnection with said second valve means to cause said sudden movements to and from said closed position: and operating means exterior oi said housing adapted for moving the first valvemeans and said valve support whereby the movement 'oi said first valve means is controlled and for controlling the temperature at which saidcontroi member is actuated to control movement of said second valve means.

12. A combination according to claim 11 wherein said resilient valveseat is located at the inlet side oi said second valve means.

13. A combination according to claim 7 wherein the valve seat is oi yielding construction adapt- 1 The foilowingreierences are oi record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Pratt Nov. 3, 1942 so long as the resistance 7 

